Ex-Speaker Hastert's farewell: 'I tried my best'

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert bid his colleagues farewell in a final speech Thursday, expressing worry about the "breakdown of civility" in politics.

Hastert, 65, became the longest-serving Republican speaker of the House in history after taking the post in January 1999. The Illinois lawmaker stepped down as the top House Republican leader after Democrats won a majority in the 2006 midterm elections, ending 12 years of GOP control.

During his farewell address, the former high school history teacher and wrestling coach offered one bit of analysis about his tenure in Congress. "I continue to worry about the breakdown of civility in our political discourse," Hastert said. "I tried my best, but I wish I had been more successful."

Although he did not announce the date of his House departure, an aide to Hastert says the former speaker will retire by the end of the year.

Hastert, who forged a reputation for his ability to form compromises, said lawmakers "have a responsibility to be civil, open-minded and fair -- to listen to one another and work in good faith to find solutions to the challenges facing our nation." Watch Hastert tell his Senate colleagues farewell »

Under former Democratic President Bill Clinton, Hastert said the two were "able to find common ground" despite differences on some issues.

Hastert was an unlikely candidate for the top House post in 1999. Though he had been in the House 12 years, he had virtually no national profile and did not hold a top leadership position.

However, Hastert managed to build a reputation as a formidable leader and by 2003 his Republican colleagues waived term limits to allow him to continue as their speaker.

Hastert's brief address also included remarks about his service as speaker after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

"We made an unprecedented investment in homeland security," he said. "Did we get it 100 percent right? Of course not ... There is no doubt in my mind that the American people are safer today because of the heroic actions of our men and women who serve in our armed services and intelligence agencies and because of the actions taken here, by our Congress."

He joked about his wrestling background and mentioned that he would not be honoring the Olympic wrestling tradition of leaving shoes on the mat after a final match.

"Don't be alarmed Madam Speaker," he assured his successor, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "I won't be challenging the rules of decorum by removing my shoes on the House floor. But I do hope that I have left a few footprints behind that may be of value to those who come after me."

An aide said the effective date of Hastert's resignation has not yet been determined, although the aide said Hastert's choice to leave had nothing to do with previous health problems.

"He's in excellent health," the aide said. "He's in better health than he was as speaker."

The aide said he didn't think Hastert had made any specific plans on what he would do next.

As for the timing for Thursday's speech, the aide said, "I think he thinks it's the right time. It's right before a congressional recess when he has a chance to talk to members."

His resignation will trigger a special election in his Chicago-area district, which includes Aurora and Elgin, Illinois, The Associated Press reported. The winner will face re-election next November.

Democrats say they will compete for the seat, but the district clearly leans Republican, according to AP.

CNN reported last month that Hastert would resign his seat rather than serve out the rest of his term, which ends in January 2009. E-mail to a friend

CNN's Dana Bash and Deirdre Walsh contributed to this report.

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